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Middle-distance runner Shipra Sarkar charged with second anti-doping rule violation: Reports

According to reports in Sportstar, the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) allegedly charged middle-distance runner Shipra Sarkar with a second anti-doping rule violation. The suspension reportedly started from the first suspension’s end date, June 28, 2024.

While she was expected to serve a four-year suspension from 2020, Sarkar competed in two Inter-Railway Championships, in 2022 and 2023, which resulted in NADA taking action.

On February 6, 2020, Shipra Sarkar tested positive for androgens in an out-of-competition test conducted in Kolkata.

After the hearings from the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) and on appeal by the panel itself, Sarkar was suspended for four years from June 29, 2020, after ADAP’s decision came out on February 3, 2022.

Nevertheless, Sarkar competed in the 1500m event in the 2022 Inter-Railway Championships, finishing second. She also participated in the 800m and 1500m events at the 2023 Inter-Railway Championships, finishing third and fifth respectively.


The road ahead for Shipra Sarkar

NADA, responsible for promoting, coordinating, and monitoring substance usage, asked Sarkar to explain how she participated during her suspension period.

According to NADA’s rules, any athlete competing during ineligibility could lead to an added period equal to the length of the original period of ineligibility.

Furthermore, how the incident happened is still unknown, as the suspension was listed on NADA’s website just like other suspensions, and notices are normally sent to the relevant members through the federation.

Additionally, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) quickly sought an explanation from Sarkar and the Eastern Railways sports organization.

If Shipra Sarkar agrees with the suspension period proposed by NADA, there will be no further proceedings in the case. If she refuses to accept the consequences, the matter may once again move to the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP).


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